Customer Reviews

Out by a Step: The 100 Best Players Not in the Baseball Hall of Fame

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I looked forward to receiving this book, but am not happy with it. Absent are the career total statistics for each player. Instead, the authors provide a highlight statistics box of the numbers they want to provide. These do not remain consistent from one player to the next. The arguments for the Hall-of-Fame are weak and unconvincing. Richie Allen, their #1 choice for example, is argued for inclusion in the Hall because of his 1972 MVP season, the fact that he had his own rules (and that his anger was mostly at management, not his teammates) and the fact that Don Drysdale and Jim Kaat state that he was a great hitter. I remain unconvinced. After reading the first essay, I skimmed the text for the arguments about players I always felt were borderline candidates, or at least cared about, Don Mattingly, Elston Howard, Graig Nettles, Ron Guidry, Thurman Munson, Willie Randolph (yes, a definite Yankee bias here). These essays were also weak. I was hoping for detailed analysis providing convincing arguments for the players to be included in the Hall-of-Fame. This book does not provide that. The authors also do not follow the same logic for every ballplayer. The randomness of the articles, based mostly on isolated statistics and comments from former teammates or opponents remembering their greatness ("He was as good as any I've seen for that period of time" - Willie Randolph on Don Mattingly) (Ken Harrilson says Graig Nettles was one of the best fastball hitters he ever saw.) If you are looking for a baseball book in the Bill James, Rob Neyer mold, this book is not it. If you're looking for simple arguments about some very good players, you may want to consider this book.

This book is strictly for the most avid baseball fan. It highlights the careers of all-star caliber players that just missed the MLB Hall of Fame by introducing their stats and some good anecdotes. Not enough photos especially for the old-time players that someone from this generation would need to have in order to connect with. Some of those interviewed are repeated for multiple players thereby diluting the strength of the accolades they attribute to those 'Out by a Step.' It feels like the Shalins had a fun time writing this book, but that enthusiasm doesn't translate nearly enough for many of the unfamiliar players.

I bought 5 of these books for Christmas presents for avid baseball fans. All parties were thrilled with the book and it generated a lot of discussion and friendly bantering. The Shalins do a terrific job.

An outstanding book!! I can't believe no one has ever written this type of baseball book before! The Shanlins have done a
trmendous amount of research for this book, especially in the
Negro leagues. This is an absolute must for baseball fans of all ages. It opens alot of room for much debate on a topic that
most professional sports writers cannot agree, and that is who
belongs in the Hall Of Fame. The Shalin brothers go beyond that,
and take a realistic look at some of the greatest players, past
and present, who definately belong in the Hall Of Fame.
A grand slam book and deserves consideration for the
Hall of Fame in its own right!
Way to go guys!!!!